I Finally Shot a Garand Today!

[mac1911]

I have an 8mm Mauser that I make people shoot first. After trying to hit something with the sights, work the bolt, and feeling the recoil, I then let them try the Garand, which became the U. S. Army's standard rifle in 1937, about a decade before any other service.

So it isn't about comparing it to modern firearms. It's about appreciating the mechanical genius of the device, developed by one man working alone, who single-handedly doubled the firepower of an Army infantry squad.

John C. Garand stands out as a designer because he designed everything for the garand from the plant layout to the machines to the rifle. For first timers the 8mm mauser might be a challenge but my russian capture k98 is more accurate than my garands,,,,,although I like shooting the M1 better!

 

[browncoat]

The ferderal ammo in my experience is not worth 1$ per round. It performs as well as hxp. PPU can be found for 80 cents per round or less. You free starers can get some shipped right to your door for. 72 cents per round!
If your going to spend 30$/20 you might as well buy hornady m1 match ammo
the ppu is pretty darn good and I will say the stuff I had grouped very well vs the federal stuff.
If your blasting. Hxp is the way to go. If you want slightly better accuracy PPU
after that you should reload unless price is of no concern....well it doesn't matter then.

Is the hxp easily reloadable boxer brass? Im picking up a press next week.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk

 

[mac1911]

Is the hxp easily reloadable boxer brass? Im picking up a press next week.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk

Yes HXP is fine brass. I been loading the same 300pcs for 8 loads now and it appears to be just fine.
Just a quick run down
HXP from cmp 65 cents per round
PPU M1 safe ammo .82 cents per round
All other US made 30-06 1.00 or more per round.
Current reload price.
Brass....you should be able to get once fired brass for free. That said this is what I just paid for reloading supply for 30-06
CCI large rife primers 35$/1000 .035 ea
1lb varget 28$ 28/7000gn .004 cents per grain X 46.5gn= .186 cents per round.
hornady match 25 cents ea
Reloads .471 cents ea. Add your brass cost if you bought brass.

 

[garandman]

Four Seasons sells that Federal American Eagle for $20 per 20 when they have it. $1 per round, while not as cheap as surplus, is at least more in the range of many rifle calibers.

I've done plenty of bench testing of American Eagle versus US and Danish Milsurp. It's good stuff.

The problem I have is that I got such good deals on 30.06 that when I look at the cost of replacing it, I don't want to shoot it!

 

[mac1911]

Some of it is corrosive, best to treat it as such. I've read of some Garands going kaboom with that ammo as well.

Yes the 2 cans I got a few yrs back had a mix of both. Good shooting surplus ammo though. .......I still would buy and shoot it at say 50 cents per round. There are still a few places selling it for a little less than 60 cents per round shipped.